Number of Participants: 20
Hours Donated: 15
Value of Time Served: $2,535
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Softball
School: Center Moriches High School
Date: May 12, 2025
Location:
Center Moriches High School
Frowein Road, Center Moriches
NY
About:
The Center Moriches Varsity Softball Team recently turned compassion into action with a heartfelt “Strike Out Cancer” game, dedicated to supporting a very special young girl named Sadie. This meaningful event was a powerful follow-up to the team’s successful “Little League Day” and exemplified the strength of community, teamwork, and love.
Sadie, a former Little League softball player and student at Patchogue-Medford, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer in January. Since then, she has undergone surgery and is now receiving chemotherapy treatments from home. Sadie’s connection to the Center Moriches team runs deep. She is a student of Karen Eten, an elementary school teacher, former Pat-Med softball player, and mom to Red Devils catcher Lilah Eten.
Originally, the team hoped to honor Sadie during an away game at Patchogue-Medford. When that was not possible due to scheduling, the girls rallied together and decided to host a “Strike Out Cancer” day on their home field. Sadie was invited to throw out the first pitch and spend time with the team in the dugout. The players created yellow hair ribbons, wore yellow bracelets, and made handmade signs in Sadie’s honor to show their support and raise awareness for pediatric cancer.
Unfortunately, due to a sudden fever, Sadie was unable to attend and had to return to the hospital. But the spirit of the day lived on. The team recorded a heartfelt video message and sent her a swag bag filled with Center Moriches gear, officially naming her an honorary Red Devil for the day. While her absence was felt, it offered the team a deeper understanding of the daily realities faced by children battling cancer.
This event was born from the success of “Little League Day,” held just weeks earlier. That day welcomed Moriches Bay Little League players to the varsity field, where they joined the Red Devils for an unforgettable afternoon of softball, mentorship, and community. Little leaguers walked hand in hand with varsity players onto the field, participated in opening ceremonies, and even threw and caught ceremonial first pitches. After cheering the Red Devils on to a 17–1 victory, the young players practiced side by side with the high school athletes.
The strong bond between Center Moriches softball and the local Little League goes back more than a decade. Through winter clinics, summer developmental programs, and events like these, the Red Devils continue to inspire and uplift the next generation both on and off the field.
While Sadie could not join them this time, the team is hopeful she will be cheering from the stands—or even better, back on the field—very soon. Until then, she remains a symbol of courage and strength for the entire Center Moriches softball family.
